Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this Topical Issue matter. I raise the issue of funding for the Circle of Friends Cancer Centre in Tipperary town. To provide some background information, when I visited the centre first it was operating in an old building near the railway which was completely unsuitable for the purposes of what the organisation was trying to achieve. With huge voluntary fundraising efforts and donations, as well as Government support, a pristine cancer support centre has been built, which is a real credit to the people of Tipperary and the surrounding areas. For this centre to operate efficiently, it needs funds. Unfortunately, use of the centre has increased dramatically. It is estimated that 1,197 individuals will use the centre's services in 2022, which is a significant number. That figure is expected to double in 2023. The organisation has applied for section 39 funding from the HSE amounting to €98,318. The funding will be used to meet core staffing requirements and provide a cancer support outreach worker, counselling and individual therapies. There is a huge voluntary effort in this organisation, but the professional people who are providing counselling and therapy services have to be paid. They are providing supports such as physiotherapy, financial advice and others for people who have unfortunately been diagnosed with cancer. It would be a tragedy if the organisation were to run into funding difficulties after doing all the hard work in getting the new centre built and up and running. As I mentioned, the centre and its services are widely used by people living in Tipperary town, west Tipperary and County Limerick. It covers a catchment area of over 76,000 people. It is really delivering what it says on the tin. It is providing excellent counselling services in a superb environment. There are beautiful gardens surrounding the centre.

Circle of Friends is getting help from community employment schemes for some of the services that are needed in respect of maintenance at the centre, etc., but the core issue I am raising is the need for funding to maintain the services. I have a detailed budget that I will pass on to the Minister of State, which breaks down the figures. The centre needs €98,318 in funding. I also emphasise strongly that the funding must be provided on a permanent basis. The organisation cannot live from hand to mouth, hoping that it will get funding from the HSE each year. I hope the section 39 funding application is accepted and funding can be provided more regularly and on a permanent basis, so that the organisation knows it will receive the funding it requires to provide its services in the following calendar year. That is imperative. I met with representatives of the organisation on Monday. While it has some financial reserves, they will only cover 12 months of running costs. If this centre is to survive long term, there must be certainty in respect of funding. We cannot talk about value for money when it comes to the provision of cancer support services. They are absolutely essential for people who are unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. I urge the Minister of State to use her influence to get funding for the centre.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this most important issue of the section 39 funding requirements of the Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre. I also thank and acknowledge the staff and volunteers for the valuable work they do at the centre. The need to address survivorship care for those living with and beyond cancer is now recognised internationally, and groups such as the Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment. People living can require life-long, evidenced-based healthcare, both preventive and general medical, as well as psychosocial care and care specific to the cancer diagnosis involved. For others, access to support groups can fulfil most of their needs.

Circle of Friends has previously received funding through national lottery funding and from the HSE in 2018. I understand the charity has recently made an application for further funding through the HSE of €98,318, which the Deputy has previously discussed with me. I think it is very impressive that an estimated 1,200 people will avail of the supports that Circle of Friends provides in the Tipperary area.

In 2020 and 2021, cancer services continued to be provided in Ireland during a challenging time for health services globally. The national action plan on Covid-19 identified the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority. Cancer diagnostic and treatment services continued to operate, including breast, lung and prostate rapid access clinics for cancer diagnosis.

In 2021, the Government allocated €57 million to cancer services, with a further €35 million allocated in 2022. This has brought the total allocation for cancer services in the national service plan to €139.2 million. This includes funding provided by the national cancer control programme to cancer support centres across the country.

Hospital and Community-based Psychosocial Care for Patients with Cancer and their Families: A Model of Care for Psycho-Oncology was published by the national cancer control programme in 2020. It sets out how psychosocial support for cancer patients and their families will be developed in Ireland over the coming years. It also recognises the necessity for a comprehensive psychosocial support service that spans acute hospitals, primary care and the community and voluntary sectors.

The national cancer control programme has also developed NCCP Best Practice Guidance for Community Cancer Support Centres to ensure a seamless transition in support between hospitals and the community. This set of guidelines will help to form the foundations on which we can continue to grow and enhance the services offered by cancer support centres across the country. The Cancer Patient Advisory Committee was established in 2019 and meets quarterly. This committee builds on the work of the Cancer Patient Forum and facilitates patient input into the oversight of the implementation of the national cancer strategy.

I welcome this opportunity to discuss funding for cancer support centres and encourage Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre to engage with the HSE locally on any funding applications or concerns it has. It is evident that people living with and beyond cancer benefit from psychosocial supports, and cancer support centres across Ireland are providing such an important service to those who use and need it. It is important to have supports in one's own locality where possible. Could the Deputy ask the organisation to engage locally? I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and make sure the centre's funding is considered. I am hopeful regarding budget funding considering the centre's work this year to support 1,200 people through their cancer journey.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for the positive response. I do not have to say that she recognises what the cancer centres around the country do. The centre set up in Tipperary town and its work are an example to any cancer support group. The centre expects its number of users to double in 2023. I acknowledge that the door is open for consultation with the HSE and that the Minister of State will use her influence to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion.

When making my opening remarks, I made a point on funding certainty. An organisation like the centre in question cannot wait until December each year to see whether it will get funding for the next calendar year. There needs to be certainty about its funding stream. It got funding from the national lottery in the past. Obviously, there will always be fundraising. That will not be an issue for the centre as there is a great community spirit. The centre was founded by cancer survivors, who comprise its hub. The first time I went to the centre, which was when it was operating out of what was virtually a derelict building, I met a young lady who, thankfully, is still at the hub of the centre, has survived cancer and is in good health. She has always been a driving force behind the centre. There are many cancer survivors. People diagnosed with cancer should have someone to talk to about financial issues and problems they may have as a result of their illness. Mental issues also arise. There are so many obstacles to overcome and hills to climb when people get the dreaded news that they have been diagnosed with cancer. However, the centre is playing a pivotal role in supporting those diagnosed with cancer. The Minister of State has committed to doing her best to ensure funding is secured for the centre.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the importance of Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre. We are all familiar with similar organisations in our constituencies. Waterford city has Solas Cancer Support Centre. It is such an important place. I know how important cancer support centres are. They are key in providing psycho-oncology and psychosocial support, and it is important that the development of dedicated survivorship programmes continue in order to enable patients to maximise their quality of life.

The important work of the centres cannot be underestimated. The Deputy has said Circle of Friends has had about 1,200 referrals this year and expects this number to double. Since Covid, there has been pent-up demand from people dealing with cancer diagnoses.

Once again, on behalf of the Minister, I welcome the opportunity to discuss funding for cancer support centres. I encourage Circle of Friends Cancer Support Centre to engage fully with the HSE in the funding application process. I compliment the staff and volunteers at the centre and thank the Deputy for raising the issue.